Story: Voluntary welfare organisations

Christchurch women's refuge founders, 1973 (1st of 2)

Christchurch women's refuge founders, 1973

Three of the founders of the Christchurch Women's Refuge, (from left) Jo Crowley, Diane Shannon and Rosemary Howard, sit on the porch of the first refuge house in 1973, the year it was established. New Zealand refuges were set up by feminists to provide emergency accommodation, advice and assistance for women escaping violent men. Unlike traditional welfare organisations, they aimed to empower the victims and change attitudes towards domestic violence.

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How to cite this page:

Margaret Tennant, 'Voluntary welfare organisations - Second World War and beyond', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29064/christchurch-womens-refuge-founders-1973 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Margaret Tennant, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 18 Sep 2018